Gearing up for ASCO

For the past 2 months I have been preparing for the American Society of Clinical Oncologist (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. I am attending as part of the Research Advocates Network(RAN) Focus on Research program . I appreciate the opportunity RAN is providing me to hear the latest research results. My goal and the goal of the Focus on Research Program is to disseminate the information learned about cancer research. For myself I am concentrating on ovarian cancer research lectures and poster sessions. I want to thank Dena O’Malley and the Center for Cancer Survivorship at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey for being my dissemination partner.

I have been attending webinars on Biomarkers, Drug Development and Cancer Pathways and reading manuals on genomics. At times I felt like I was back at Rutgers in the Intro to Biochemistry class. I needed to relearn how cells replicate, the structure of DNA and RNA, and clinical trial design. I admit It has been a bit of a challenge . Chemobrain seems to have affected how I learn and recall information. It requires me to listen, take notes, reread and review the slides from the lecture and still at times it takes me a long time to recall the proper names. Throw some unique acronyms on top of it and at times I feel I am talking alphabet soup. But I think the extra effort will pay off in the days ahead.

I have found recently that the media, internet , TV and print , tends to run with stories of agents that can cure cancer or raise or reduce risk without putting the results in perspective. This may raise hopes for patients when in fact the drug/agent is many years away from being used on humans. Rather we should ask: Was the research on animals or humans? Has the drug/agent finished clinical trials?How large was the study? How expensive is the agent/drug/screening test. How long until the agent is available?Many times groups push for a screening test for the general population that really does not fit the criteria of being specific and sensitive. My plan is to post an update every day from the Conference but in the weeks ahead I will follow up with more detailed information which hopefully will answer the questions I posed above .

The other bonus of this trip is meeting other research advocates from around the world.

Can’t wait for the sessions to begin tomorrow!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing.

Chicago Here I Come

I'm thrilled to have been accepted as a Scholar in the Focus on Research program developed by the Research Advocacy Network. That means that I will be traveling to Chicago in early June to attend the ASCO Annual '11 Meeting.

A special thank you goes to the Center for Cancer Survivorship at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey for agreeing to be my dissemination partner.

I have papers to write and online classes to take before I go to Chicago but I am looking forward to meeting other research advocates and to learn the latest in ovarian cancer research.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! I am blessed to be given opportunity to become a better OC advocate.

Making the First Cut

I am so pleased that CINJ/ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has qualified to be a recipient of a LiveStrong Community Impact Project this year.

This year votes from the public will determine which organizations receive the Impact Grants. There are three types of programs to be funded- Creative Center :Arts in Healthcare, Supersibs, and Cancer Transitions. CINJ has applied for a Creative Center :Arts in Healthcare Grant.From their application-

"CINJ is a robust clinical enterprise with over 83,000 patient visits in 2009. For our 2010 Survivors Day Celebration, Robin Glazer, Director of the Creative Center: Arts in Healthcare was the key-note speaker at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ). Attendees of this program (patients, family members and health care providers) loved the Creative Center's approach and philosophy. Several attendees contacted our office and the Creative Center's to learn more about this program. Promoting healing experiences is crucial, and with an Artist in Residence Program we will have the opportunity to institutionalize this value into our existing operations."

Now it is up to us - patients, caregivers and supporters of CINJ to vote so that the Creative Center :Arts in Healthcare program can be implemented at CINJ. Ok I am a bit biased but having taken a short art therapy program a few years ago I think other patients at CINJ would benefit from taking part.

Please click on this link to vote every day:

http://vote.livestrong.org/applicants/102-the-cancer-institute-of-new-jersey-robert-wood-joh/

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing.

Fun Times at the Teal Tea

Yesterday, I meet up with my friends Ann and Linda and we had a blast attending The Teal Tea Foundation's 4th Annual Teal Tea at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton, NJ. Last year, when I attended the Tea I was pale and tired and wore a scarf to cover my bald head. This year my hair is back and I enjoyed the good food, delicious teas and wonderful company of other survivors.

All three of us sat at a table captained by Ariel. She is the one who designed that lovely New Orleans themed centerpiece you can see above. Each table's captain created a table which had a unique theme. One table were swing dancers, another the roaring 20's , there were characters from Alice in Wonderland , a prayer fountain, and a backyard swing set. The table winner was "A Night at the Movies" - complete with bowls of popcorn made of flowers and an assortment of candy. Of course teal was the prominent color many of the floral arrangements used on other tables.

I was able to take chances on a number of wonderful prizes at the silent auction. Sadly, I did not win the stain-glass window or the Vera Bradley bag. There were teal t-shirts and jewelry for sale and even specially made teas.

The guest speaker was Dr Wendy Warner who spoke about reducing stress and learning resiliency. We even had time to practice a relaxation technique. I dreamed I was back in Alaska look up at Mount McKinley. Then the Keynote speaker Suzanne Garber, COO of the Americas Region for International SOS Assistance Inc, and ovarian cancer survivor had the audience clapping their hands , laughing and cheering. Mrs. Sharon Parker , Owner of Boehm Porcelain and a cancer survivor unveiled the special vase and porcelain flower created just for the Teal Tea Foundation. It was beautiful!

What a fun day and way to raise funds for ovarian cancer research especially when those funds will be used to support research at the Cancer Institute of NJ.
Great job Jean, Shari and your Teal Tea Committee for a pleasant afternoon.

Dee
Every day is a Blessing!

CINJ's Cancer Survivor Day

Today was National Cancer Survivors Day. CINJ had a fun celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick. The celebration was named "Welcome Aboard our SurvivorSHIP".
The "cruise director" Eddie kept people on their toes by announcing the different activities- hand massages, make-up tips, line dancing, and stress relief activities. In the atrium, sharing tables for the Center for Cancer Survivorship at CINJ, the Life program, the CINJ library, the Bridge program ,and the Social Work department provided excellent information. There were cookbooks by the CINJ nurses and special greeting cards for sale. The cards were designed by my friend Sandy( see the website below).

We entered the ball room and by each place setting was a very soft plastic CINJ ship ( see photo above.) I was asked to start off the program by calling a game of Bingo- a very traditional cruise game. Dr Robert DiPaola welcomed the group and Eric Perakslis, Chair of the Survivors Advisory Board discussed the new center. Guest speaker , Conor Cunneen talked about the importance of "gab"- goals, attitude and behavior - on our cancer journey.

Nick and I sat with the women of my gynecological cancer support group, their husbands/ partners and Julie a friend and social worker who facilitates our group. Our support group began in May of 2007. We have laughed together, cheered each other on, offered each other advice and cried together when one of our own - Sharon lost her battle with this disease. There was a photographer taking photos of survivors and their families holding a " Celebration of Life" life preserver. Our group could not pass up the opportunity to get a photo together. When we picked up the photos at the end of the event we laughed to see us pictured on a beach with palm trees in the background. Very Neat!

By the way, I decided to go to the event without a scarf, hat or wig. The hair is growing in. :o)

Livestrong
Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!